ACKNOWLEDGING THE SPACE WE'RE IN

Summary

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: “Acknowledging the Space We’re In”
Date: April 10, 2026
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John

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Overview

In this candid and laughter-filled episode, Kelly and Lizz reflect on the importance of acknowledging life's ebbs and flows, from chaotic mom moments to celebratory milestones (like new car purchases and family traditions). They weave in relatable advice for millennial moms, touch on the ins and outs of car buying, discuss the intricacies of car seat fitting, and get nostalgic over American Girl Dolls. Listeners also get updates on industry news—minivans, car collaborations, and the ever-shifting EV market—plus answers to practical car-buying and family life questions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Checking In and Acknowledging the Space We’re In

• Kelly and Lizz open by joking about hectic mom life and the feeling that “Friday means nothing; a weekend means nothing to me. It’s just another day to survive.” (00:36 | Lizz)
• Kelly's Advice: Recognize and honor your current season. “I always tell my younger sisters just to, like, acknowledge the space that you’re in. Not you, because you’re not in a good space. Like, I'm acknowledging the space that I'm in right now.” (02:00)
  • She notes that everyone can turn a day around with “a good night’s sleep, a 75-degree day, a spray tan, and iced coffee." (02:43)
• Memorable Quote:
  • “You are like a good night’s sleep, a 75 degree day, a spray tan and iced coffee away from the girl you want to be.” (02:43 | Kelly)

2. Family Updates & Traditions

• Kelly celebrates her new car purchase: a white Ford Expedition, short wheelbase with a bench seat—a decision based on her family's needs.
  • “No, Ford did not give it to me. I ordered it.” (04:19 | Kelly)
  • She prefers short wheelbase for zippiness and practicality, and the bench for flexibility with kids and friends. (05:41)
• New parenting tradition: Celebrating kids’ half birthdays with special dinners.
  • “Birthdays are for families, so we’re taking them out to dinner on their half birthday every year.” (10:28 | Kelly)
  • “They’re very excited. They’re very into the fact they have another birthday.” (10:55 | Kelly)

3. The Realities and Guilt of Motherhood

• Lizz reflects on the challenge of parenting closely-aged siblings and the guilt over sharing attention (12:07).
  • Reminds herself: “There’s five of us, and we all turned out fine.” (12:45)
  • American Girl Doll nostalgia and trauma come up—highlighting how parenting and childhood rites of passage have changed. (13:01)

4. American Girl Doll Obsession

• The sisters discuss secondhand finds, family memories, and prices for modern and historical dolls. (13:09–16:08)
  • The original 18-inch dolls with a book are now $175 (15:49 | Kelly)
  • Notable exchange: “That is so expensive for a doll.” (15:51 | Liz)
• Plans for a mother-daughter trip to the American Girl Doll store—debating destinations and family fun. (14:13)

5. Base Model Luxury Tip

• Making the functional beautiful: Lizz creates a “band-aid and medication station” on a serving platter to elevate daily routines.
  • Kelly implements the same for her skincare: “I put all my skincare out on my counter. … it looks so intentional.” (26:49 | Kelly)
  • Advice: Use beautiful, non-bathroom specific containers for an aesthetic upgrade to everyday items. (27:45)

6. Car & Car Seat Industry Knowledge

• Kelly shares insights about the complexity of car seats—specifically high vs. low profile—encouraging people to change the car seat, not necessarily the car, for better fit and function.
  • “People are literally buying a new car when all they need to do is switch their car seat.” (21:13 | Kelly)
• Frustrations about car seat and vehicle compatibility, and call for more practical, real-world content from CPSTs (Certified Passenger Safety Technicians). (22:02 forward)

7. Advice Segment: Real-World Car Buying Q&A

Listener-submitted questions with practical, thoughtful responses from Kelly and Lizz.

• Sexy, reliable luxury SUVs for two-kid families:
  • Top picks: Volvo XC90, Lexus TX, Genesis GV80, Infiniti QX60, and Buick Enclave. (29:23–30:24)
  • “I wish Buick would reach out to be honest with you…” (30:24 | Kelly)
• Hybrid recommendations for non-Toyota loyalists debating Sienna vs. Grand Highlander: (31:43)
  • Both options are solid, but personal preference and test drives are key.
  • Car buying tips for military spouses: Be upfront with salespeople, use your spouse’s absence as a negotiation tool, and remember to ask for the military discount. (33:16–34:16)
• Should I trade my Expedition after a minor accident?
  • “If it was a minor accident that you got repaired, as long as airbags didn’t deploy… you’re fine. … I literally don’t think it will affect your trade-in value at all.” (35:56 | Kelly)
  • Financial logic to justify the trade for improved gas mileage and insurance savings.

8. Hot Takes: Car Industry News & Gossip

• Tesla’s glut of unsold EVs following tax incentive phase-outs. Tesla’s lack of styling updates and innovation is hurting its dominance. (41:16)
  • “You’re not the best if you’re the only.” (41:49 | Kelly)
• GM’s surprising focus on sedans (Buick sedan, Cadillac CT5, Chevy Camaro) instead of SUVs—“Sedans are back!” (43:42)
  • The potential new “Buick Electra” name gets the hosts’ approval: “Electra is such a good name.” (45:10 | Kelly)
• Edmunds’ 2026 Minivans picks:
  • Best in class: Toyota Sienna. (45:34)
  • “Best minivan that isn’t a hybrid”: Kia Carnival.
  • Chrysler Pacifica wins its own category (“best minivan made by Chrysler”) and gets some shade for its second-row seating but is ultimately defended by Kelly for its overall value, lower MSRP, stow ‘n go, and improved car seat compatibility. (46:03–48:48)
  • “People are being a little mean to the Pacifica—and I think I’ve been mean to the Pacifica.” (47:35 | Kelly)
  • Discussion about vague “reliability” ratings, with owner satisfaction scores:
    • Sienna 75%
    • Odyssey 69%
    • Carnival 80%
    • Pacifica 62% (49:57)
• Car Collabs: Ford x Eddie Bauer Bronco nostalgia
  • “It’s considered one of the greatest brand collabs in history...” (52:49 | Kelly)
  • Brainstorming current/future collabs like Yeti x Ford, Patagonia x Hyundai. (55:03)
  • “Bronco x Yeti would be sick!” (55:48 | Lizz)

9. Lighthearted Closer: Ditch to the Drive & Recipes

• Kelly shares her favorite “cabbage soup” (~56:40) and a unique “ground chicken Caesar salad pizza” recipe.
  • “It tastes like a chicken Caesar salad, but it’s such a different way to eat that.” (56:55 | Kelly)

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “You are like a good night’s sleep, a 75 degree day, a spray tan and iced coffee away from the girl you want to be.”
  — Kelly (02:43)
• “I'm just going to acknowledge that my kids are healthy. I'm feeling good. The weather’s nice. Car Mom’s going good.”
  — Kelly (02:03)
• “The only way through is through.”
  — Lizz (00:36)
• “No, Ford did not give it to me. Like, wish they would.”
  — Kelly on buying her own Expedition (04:19)
• “I wish Buick would reach out to be honest with you.”
  — Kelly (30:24)
• “[Tesla] haven’t been bothered to update their car since it came out in 2014. … You’re not the best if you’re the only.”
  — Kelly (41:49)
• “Electra is such a good name.”
  — Kelly, on Buick’s sedan (45:10)
• “Bronco x Yeti would be sick!”
  — Lizz (55:48)

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Segment Timestamps

• Checking In & Acknowledging Life's Seasons: 00:36–03:43
• Ordering a New Car/Car Philosophy: 04:19–08:55
• Family Traditions – Half Birthday Dinners: 09:23–11:55
• American Girl Doll Memories & Plans: 13:01–16:08
• Base Model Luxury Tip: 26:41–27:58
• Car Seat Real Talk & Industry News: 20:08–24:41
• Listener Advice Q&A: 28:09–37:15
• Industry Hot Takes: 40:33–52:09
• Car Brand Collabs: 52:09–55:48
• Cabbage Soup & Fun Recipes: 56:40–end

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Tone

Conversational, witty, supportive, and relatable with plenty of practical advice. The sisters share their wisdom as auto-industry experts, but always keep things light, honest, and down-to-earth.

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This summary covers all the episode’s main discussions, practical takeaways, memorable moments, and relevant timestamps, offering a full snapshot for anyone who missed the episode.

Transcript

[Kelly]

Welcome to the carpool podcast with Kelly. I, funny enough, am going to Chicago at the end of this month.

[Liz]

Oh, you are?

[Kelly]

Yeah, for our Cap one event. And I will be putting into my maps. How close? The American Girl Doll story.

[Liz]

And Liz. There's moments where I go, what have I done? I've screwed my life up because my kids are so all. So close in age. But then I remember that there's five of us, and we all turned out fine.

[Kelly]

Your mom. Time off starts. Welcome back to the carpal podcast with Kelly and Liz. And it's Friday.

[Liz]

This feels like it's been the longest, like, weeks of my entire life. Well, it's Friday. Friday means nothing. A weekend. It means nothing to me. It's just another day to survive. You know, so many people are messaging me, like, and I do appreciate the messages, and they're like, you can't catch a break. Like, kudos to you. Like, you're doing it all. Like, you've got this. And I'm like, guys, the only way through is through. Like, I'm not doing any Prof. Like, I literally. Literally just waking up every day and, like, living life to the best of my abilities, which has been, like, crazy.

[Kelly]

It has been hard to watch.

[Liz]

Okay, thank you.

[Kelly]

And I mean that with, like, I'm giving you so much sympathy, but, like, yeah, like, it's just kind of a lot going on.

[Liz]

Yeah. Well, you've been helpful, so I do appreciate you've. You've taken my calls. You've let me get my. My feelings out.

[Kelly]

Well, I feel like I actually have given you some pretty profound advice lately.

[Liz]

And again, profound advice.

[Kelly]

First of all, thank you. Like, I really do proud myself. I think I give good advice. And that's not even to say I have it all figured out. I just think I'm not. Not even to say I always follow my own advice, but I have the good advice. You know, this is me, like, so on my high horse because, like, I don't have hives, and my kids are sleeping through the night and no one's sick. You know, I'm one stomach bug away from losing it all.

[Liz]

Yeah, for sure.

[Kelly]

So it's like, you know, just. I think it's so. I always tell my younger sisters, always, just to, like, acknowledge the space that you're in. Not you, because you're not in a good space. Like, I'm acknowledging the space that I'm in right now. I'm acknowledging that my kids are healthy. I'm feeling good. You know, the weather's nice, car, mom's going good. Like, I'm acknowledging that space, this space. I will be in a different space, but I will have been happy. I had acknowledged when I was in a good space.

[Liz]

Sure.

[Kelly]

But I always tell Elizabeth, because Elizabeth's called me a couple times over the last, let's say, year, 18 months. And I'm. And like, you know, just the, the call we've all made when you're just like, I don't feel like myself, like I. Blah, blah, blah. And I always tell her she's never as far gone as she thinks she is.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And at the end of the day, most of us. And I'm not saying you can do this today, but I'm saying take comfort in knowing that you are like a good night's sleep, a 75 degree day, a spray tan and iced coffee away from the girl you want to be.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

She's not as so like. And I'm not. Again, I'm not saying that's. I'm not saying you're gonna get that done tomorrow, but it's. You're not so far gone. You're just on the other side.

[Liz]

Yeah. Yeah. And, and, and we will ebb and we will flow. And right now we're flowing more than we're ebbing and that's fine. Maybe we're ebbing more than we're flowing.

[Kelly]

I think you're ebbing more than you're flowing.

[Liz]

I feel like I'm ebbing a lot right now.

[Kelly]

And I feel like I'm flowing and

[Liz]

you're totally flowing and I just like, want to be a flowy girl, but I'm just like.

[Kelly]

I'm like, just in such a flow state right now.

[Liz]

Such an ebby girl right now, but it's fine. So my. Anyway, my sty is like, still horrible. It hurts so bad, but it's fine. I'm not going to talk about it cuz I don't want to complain about it cuz I already made three phone calls before we took this podcast to complain about it so I don't have to do it anymore.

[Kelly]

Was one of those phone calls to the eye doctor?

[Liz]

No, one of them was to you. One of them was to mom and one of them was to dad. You know how desperate I am.

[Kelly]

No. Dad is randomly, like, so sympathetic sometimes.

[Liz]

Yeah, no, yeah, for sure. And he was sympathetic today. Like, I knew calling him, he would either say, you know, just like, rub some dirt on it and get over it, but he wasn't a sympathetic, like, mood today.

[Kelly]

If you catch dad in the sympathetic mood Sometimes I'd be like, dad, like, it's not that big of a deal. Like, I'm kind of over it.

[Liz]

Yeah, for sure. For sure.

[Kelly]

Well, a huge news since we last spoke. I did something crazy, which is I ordered an expedition. Now FAQs. Yes, I ordered it. No, Ford did not give it to me. Like, wish they would.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Wish they would. No, I ordered it, and I've never ordered a car before.

[Liz]

Yeah, this is, like, your first new car purchase.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I know. And I did some. I'm gonna tell the carpoolers what I did because I feel like you girls just deserve to know. After much groveling and a little bit of peer pressure from my husband, I will be honest about that. I ended up going white. White stealth with the black painted roof. And he really likes white cars. I like white cars, too. But, like, Tyler's vision for our family one day is that we all drive white cars, like, whenever. If we, like, buy the kids a car, like, it will be white.

[Liz]

That's so. But fine.

[Kelly]

Look like a fleet. I'm like, really? I think that's so fleet.

[Liz]

They're all. Probably all going to be Fords, too.

[Kelly]

Yeah, like, all white, baby. We could get a fleet discount from.

[Liz]

Yeah, that's not a bad idea.

[Kelly]

No, they probably won't be Ford. I think the boys will probably. If I had to say today, I think, like, the boys will, like, have a Ford Ranger, and I think the girls will have, like, a Hyundai Tucson. Yeah, it's kind of like my vibe. That's like today's vibe.

[Liz]

Totally.

[Kelly]

Anyway, I ordered it, I did the bench, and I did a short wheelbase, which are two things you might not expect from a mother of four. But those of you who know me know that I would never leave the bench. Yeah, sorry. I love the bench. And we take other people quite frequently. Like, whether it be our. A pair, a friend, mother, a cousin.

[Liz]

Like, what?

[Kelly]

What?

[Liz]

I was just another kid. Like, Kelly's always like, let me just take your kid. I've got a car seat. I'll throw a car seat in there.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I like having that, like, one second row bench seat available. So I. Yeah, so I can take anyone. I can take an adult. I can take a kid. Like, I am flexible. I'm versatile. And people don't always realize that the second and third rows are not mere images of each other. Like, you're not doing three across in a third row as easily if. If. If even at all as you are in the second row.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

So that's why I still wanted to do the be, I decided to go short wheelbase. I think I spoke about it on the podcast, but mainly it's just because, like, we're a two car family and I'm out of the double stroller phase and I really feel like it's such a difference from the short to the long wheelbase of the Expedition and I want to zip around. So that's why I'm also really excited that I got the white stealth because, like, if you don't see the back seat, like, you won't know if it's. Like, if I've got a ton of kids in there, like, it's. I could just be whipping it. Yeah, I'm excited to have that feeling.

[Liz]

After driving the extended wheelbase for so long, you really are going to feel like you're whipping it.

[Kelly]

I don't like the extended wheelbase. Like I'm telling you, you guys, it between an Expedition and Expedition Max, they drive so differently. Same thing, in my opinion, applies to a Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon xl. You think? It's not that big of a deal. It's so much harder to park it. I can only park in my garage if I park sideways because, like, I can't park it the other way. And it just is so floaty. Like, it just doesn't turn as well. And it was totally fine for the season of my life that I was in. We were doing the double strollers and you know all that stuff. But I don't. People are always like, people keep dming me telling me I'm going to regret it. Okay, well, if I do, I do, but I don't think I will. I know how much trunk space I use in a day. In a day. And it's not.

[Liz]

It's also one of those things where it's like, if you have an empty drawer, you're going to fill it. So it's like if you have a lot of trunk space, like, you're going to leave stuff in your trunk, right? And like, you'll leave a double stroller back there even though you're not even using it.

[Kelly]

It's not that. It's not even. It's also, it's not no trunk. Like, it's not like I'm doing a sequoia.

[Liz]

Yeah, no, it's still, it's still a good trunk space.

[Kelly]

You can fit the cubic feet. But like, it's, it's very similar to an atlas, a traverse, etc, so like, and there's plenty of moms of four who drive those cars and are fine with the trunk space.

[Liz]

This is true.

[Kelly]

So I'm really, really excited. I'm really excited. I just can't wait. Like, I can't believe I have a car. And I'm gonna. My goal is I need to. I'm gonna try to put less miles on it because I drive a lot of miles. And I'm gonna try to be more mindful. I drive my press cars like when I can. Because I plan to keep this thing like a while for me. And then we'll probably. I'll probably. Then the dealership will probably sell it.

[Liz]

Yeah, for sure.

[Kelly]

But it is mine. Yeah, that's it.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Said Kelly.

[Kelly]

Like, it's a big deal. It's a very big deal for me. So. Yeah, that's kind of been that.

[Liz]

That's so exciting. I mean, feels like it should be like a more monumental moment. Like the car, mom buys a car. But I guess it's fine.

[Kelly]

Well, and I think it will be like, you know, you don't think I'm gonna milk this for all it's worth? Like, come with me to pick up my new car. Installing car seats in my new car. Like, okay.

[Liz]

You don't post. And I did a thing. Photo. I'll be so pissed.

[Kelly]

Oh my gosh. My first big girl purchase. I did a thing.

[Liz]

I did a thing.

[Kelly]

Speaking of doing things, we have. It's Teller's birthday.

[Liz]

Yes.

[Kelly]

He's 36. Which like, so this mirrors like kind of like a really, like, like sexy age. Like I'm 36. Like, I kind of into it. It's like so grown up.

[Liz]

Like, I can't believe it's grown up. It's. It is very mature. Yeah.

[Kelly]

Like I'm married to a man. Six year old. Like, it's a man. I know.

[Liz]

I'm like, man.

[Kelly]

He was like, oh, I can't believe I'm 36. I'm like, okay, salt and pepper. Like 36. Like, okay, let's go.

[Liz]

Yeah, okay, that's good. Yeah, that's good. It's a good perspective.

[Kelly]

And anyway, so we've been celebrating his birthday and we've started a new tradition in our family. Well, we're starting it next week and I got this idea from my sister in law and I actually love it. And because, you know, when you have a lot of kids, you're always like, oh, I want to like make sure, like they're getting some one on one time with their parents. I'll be honest with you, our kids never get one on one time with both of us. Like, you know, one on one time. With Tyler, sometimes me, sometimes both of us.

[Liz]

Never.

[Kelly]

Literally never.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And my sister in law also has four kids and she's like, we're starting a new birthday tradition where we're going to take them out to dinner. But like birthdays are for families, so we're taking them out to dinner on their half birthday every year.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Isn't that kind of cute?

[Liz]

Cute? Yeah, that's cute.

[Kelly]

So Hattie's happ birthday is April 14th and she's like starting it and we're like every half birth. I told them when all their half birthdays were. They're very excited. They're very into the fact they have another birthday.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And I'm like, you don't get a present, but you get to go on a special dinner with mom and dad. If you want to invite a sibling, that's fine. If you want it to just be you, that's fine.

[Liz]

And they get to pick where they go. I assume probably

[Kelly]

you kind of. Yeah. No, it's the same slot, but it's all of our favorite restaurant.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Okay. Yeah.

[Liz]

You guys have a lot of options.

[Kelly]

Yeah. And she's very excited.

[Liz]

Okay. Oh, okay. So George is coming.

[Kelly]

Yeah. The daughter's coming. It's like so fun for me. Like taking a six and seven out to dinner. Like. Okay. Or five and a six.

[Liz]

Date night for you and Tyler.

[Kelly]

Like, can we put them, can we put them at their own table? No, I'm just kidding. I told her she did not have to invite her brother. If you want to, you can. But they're cute and they wanted to invite each other, so.

[Liz]

I actually love that. I definitely want to adopt that when I know.

[Kelly]

I think it's like, it's kind of

[Liz]

like a low lit.

[Kelly]

I mean, you know, you have to get a babysitter for the younger kids. Like there's that aspect to it.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But we're going like up the road and it's just like not for very long.

[Liz]

No.

[Kelly]

And.

[Liz]

And it is important. Like that's. That is going a really long way for your kids.

[Kelly]

I agree. And I like that it's not on their birthday. I'm excited about it.

[Liz]

Yeah. I'm like kind of sick to my stomach. The way that like how well behaved James was when he was like the only kid because Sloan was in the hospital. And like when Sloan wasn't feeling terrible how like connected to me she was and like she was learning more words and everything because I was just like so focused on her and I'm like, oh my gosh. I feel so bad.

[Kelly]

Like, it is so hard. Like, I took a little bit to the pediatrician the other day, and they were like, you know, can she name five body parts? I'm like, you think I've gone over body parts, like, a little bit? Like, if you say head, she can do head.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But, like, no, I haven't sat down and taught her the body parts. I'm sorry. We've been surviving.

[Liz]

I know. I know. I just have. Like, I. There's moments where I go, what have I done? I've screwed my life up because my kids are so also close in age. But then I remember that there's five of us, and we all turned out fine.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And I have a little residual American Girl Doll trauma, but it's fine. You know, it makes me stronger. What doesn't, Kelly? Makes you stronger.

[Kelly]

Totally.

[Liz]

And look at. Look at how. Look at how much I'm handling right now.

[Kelly]

Speaking of American Girl dolls. So ebay. The problem with ebay is people know what they have. You know, when people. You know, people who don't know what they have.

[Liz]

Facebook Marketplace.

[Kelly]

Facebook Marketplace.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

I am dangerously close to buying an American Girl doll out on Facebook Marketplace.

[Liz]

Does Hattie want one?

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Liz]

Okay. I'm just making sure you're not just, like, fueling something inside of you right now. And if you are, then I guess that's fine. But I do think it's kind of weird.

[Kelly]

No.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

She wants one. I'm not. I'm probably not gonna do it, but I was talking. We don't have an American Girl doll store in St. Louis anymore. Like, ours closed. So sad. Like, so sad. So I was talking to mom, and she's like, I think we should take Hattie to an American Girl doll store. I'm like, that could be so fun. But, like, since we have to fly, she's like, well, you know, we go the one in Chicago because, like, you think Chicago is closest. I'm like, well, if we're getting on a plane, let's go to New York and let's visit Sydney and Grayson.

[Liz]

Oh.

[Kelly]

So I think in October, I might take Libby and Hattie and mom and we might go.

[Liz]

Shut up.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

So fun.

[Kelly]

Doesn't that sound fun?

[Liz]

Yeah, that sounds like a great time. I would love to go to American

[Kelly]

Girl doll store right now. The one in Chicago is the biggest, according to American Girl.

[Liz]

Okay, then you should probably go to the one in Chicago.

[Kelly]

But. I know. But then we could see Sydney and Grayson.

[Liz]

Yeah, I guess.

[Kelly]

I, funny enough, am going to Chicago at the end of this month.

[Liz]

Oh, you are?

[Kelly]

Yeah, for our Cap one event. And I will be putting into my maps how close the American Girl Doll stories. And I will be popping in if it's not too far away. And I may be coming home with an American because literally we ended this recording. And then apparently if you're on American Girl Dolls email list, you know this. They're re releasing for the 40th anniversary all the historical dolls. So, like, it's kind of giving time and place.

[Liz]

Yeah. You know, not to keep beating it at horse with the American Girl Doll thing, but after I talked to my. After we brought it up with mom, she reminded me that you lost yours on that trip to Chicago.

[Kelly]

And I remember I left mine in a cab and I was devastated. But luckily then we. And then she took me and I got a brand new one.

[Liz]

Oh, forgot. Oh. So now we had the money again. Interesting. Interesting.

[Kelly]

I'm telling you, like, I know she said that. I don't think that's why.

[Liz]

I don't know.

[Kelly]

Okay, you can pre order the dolls today. Let's look into this. Okay, so how much could you pre order an 18 inch Samantha with the book?

[Liz]

Okay. No, is 18 in the original or is this a smaller version? Okay, 18 is original. How much with the book? $220.

[Kelly]

175.

[Liz]

Oh, it's a bargain. No, that's like so expensive for a doll that is so expensive. Okay, I'm kind of. Now I'm kind of understanding. Mom, a doll. Yeah, no, I'm back on.

[Kelly]

It's really expensive.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And then they have these modern era ones that are only 14 inches and they like, they like did the Barbie effect on them kind of. And they took their like, outfits like a modern era Felicity. And like they took Felicity's dress and made it a peplum top and then gave the girl like flared jeans.

[Liz]

Oh, I can't imagine that one over well.

[Kelly]

Oh my gosh. Like Josefina, like Addie, Molly, Samantha, like obsessed. It does say eight plus.

[Liz]

So they're a more mature doll. They're not like a baby doll.

[Kelly]

I know. And I just know I'm probably like a little too early on this because, like, I've seen Hattie's dolls.

[Liz]

Yeah, she likes.

[Kelly]

She's rough.

[Liz]

Yeah. All right. Anyway.

[Kelly]

Anyway.

[Liz]

Here nor there new here nor there.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

Today's episode is brought to you by Rocket Money. I feel like we talk a lot when we talk about Rocket Money, about canceling like streaming service subscriptions. And I really feel like I've got control. Thanks to Rocket Money. But the new thing that I'm trying to tackle are all of those baby products that I signed up for like year long subscriptions for that I'm maybe no longer using. So Nanit for example, I don't need it in James room anymore so I don't need to be paying for it. What I like about Rocket Money is they tell me when my next payment is coming up so I can take a look at everything and say oh no, I need to cancel that. I don't want to be charged for another year. I can see on the dashboard a very clear view of where all my spending is going across all of my bank accounts, which I also appreciate because I have different banks. So it's just easy to see where everything is in one very intuitive dashboard. And if one of your goals for this year has been tracking your spending and setting a budget, Rocket Money can help you. You can get personalized insights in regular reports and receive real time alerts for large transactions, upcoming bills, refunds low balances Users who create a financial goal with Rocket money save over $70 on average within the first just 30 days. Rocket Money is a personal finance app that finds and cancels unwanted subscriptions, monitors your spending, and helps you lower your bills so that you can grow your savings. Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join Rocket Money [e-mail] Carpool that's RocketMoney.com Carpool RocketMoney.com Carpool Today's episode is brought to you by K12 Every student deserves an education that helps them thrive and reach their full potential. Every child is different, every child learns differently and school is not a one size fits all. That's where K12 powered schools comes in. These are tuition free accredited online public schools where students learn from caring teachers who are trained in online education. K12 offers a safe and flexible at home learning environment for students in kindergarten through 12th grade with options for every student whether they need more challenge or support. Students learn at their own pace with curriculum tailored to meet their unique goals, needs and interests in K12. State certified teachers use hands on innovative technology that makes learning interactive. K12 has more than 25 years of experience helping students gain the skills they need to thrive in the future and it could be the perfect fit for your child too. Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12 and bring personalized learning to the comfort of your home. Enroll [e-mail] carpool that's letter K the number 12.com carpool k12.com carpool

[Kelly]

so what else is new? What are we. So on today's episode. Sorry, let's get to that.

[Liz]

On today's episode, I do have a super niche base model luxury. I also have three advice questions because it just feels like a long time since we've given any tangible takeaways. We have. Do you have any street news?

[Kelly]

I do. I have lots of industry news. Are you sure? I wanted three advice questions because I have like three. I have four stories.

[Liz]

Okay, well, we'll just see where we go.

[Kelly]

We'll just see how fast they go. That's fine.

[Liz]

Yeah. Because they were. They kind of like want to get to them all though.

[Kelly]

We. I just put out like kind of an incredible reel. There's days I just can't believe the value we bring. And I put out a really interesting reel about high versus low profile car seats. And this is like something that no one in the car seat space is talking about. Like, sometimes I feel like I'm the only one ringing alarm bells on this. And of course, I think mom knows car seats for telling me to ring a lot to like, to like, to like bringing it to my attention as well.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But I just can't express you, like, how much I have learned even over the past six months by installing. I've installed a lot. I've really been focusing on my third row in my booster seat fits lately. And I have just learned so much. Like, it is so complicated is the only way I can think to describe it. So, yeah, go check out my recent reel because I talked about a really interesting topic and I'm just so passionate about when possible, like, can we change the car seats to make the car work?

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And I know, like, people don't want to go out and spend that money on a car seat, but, like, it's so people are literally buying a new car when all they need to do is switch their car seat.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And I just want to make sure that no one, none of us do that. If you want a new car, go off. If you don't want a new car and you think you need to get a new car because of legroom or three across or like, whatever. Like, let's talk.

[Liz]

It's just such a bummer that it's like such a confusing thing. Like, even for like you said, you're still learning stuff and you've been really. You've been installing multiple car seats a day for the past several years. And yeah, when I was like flipping James for when I put James Ford facing in Maddie's truck. I'm like reading through the manual, I'm like, wait, this, this car seat doesn't work. I thought this car seat was going to, was going to be great. Doesn't work in this truck. And it's like you don't realize that.

[Kelly]

No, you don't. And like, you know, I get a little. I don't know. I don't know who I'm more mad at. I think I'm more mad at on this specific topic. I think I'm more mad at the car seat brands because I think they could make their car seats. Like I just don't understand how some car seats can work with non removal hydro strains and some can't.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And like if, you know, most cars, like a lot of cars especially in the third row have non removable head restraints. Like can you just make a car seat to work? Because like some do. It's like, why can't they just all like. I don't really get that. But you know, I look at like that. So that car seat that I shared was the Uppababy Rove and it's their new convertible car seat. And people love Uppababy. Like the. I love the Vista.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And I just can't think of people are buying that car seat like thinking it's because it's more expensive, thinking it's safer or thinking it's this or thinking it's that or they just like uppababy and like they had the upper baby message. Then they went up for the row.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And then they like put, try to. And then it works when it's rear facing and then you try to put your kid forward facing and then they have no leg room.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

It's just like so crazy. And I'm not saying like, you know, a baby should like advertise that, but

[Liz]

that's just why, that's just why you have to like that's why we just have to prioritize that type of content because no one else is going to. Other than, I mean other cpsts on Instagram, of course.

[Kelly]

You know, I mean look at their views. I, and I was, I just think a lot of the other cps though, I think they do a really good job of sharing about the car seat itself, but they're not always showing the real world applications of it.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

I just need more cpsts to put more car seats in cars.

[Liz]

Yeah, totally.

[Kelly]

And then all of us to do it. Like it's, it is what I would refer to as a Group project. I totally agree because I have a group project in the works. I. I know we've been teasing for a while, but, like, the group project, you guys are all about to sign your name on it.

[Liz]

Yeah, no, it's gonna be great. It's coming.

[Kelly]

And speaking of that, like, don't forget the auto show. June 13th, St. Louis.

[Liz]

Yeah. Can't wait.

[Kelly]

Get your tickets. No, seriously, can't wait. After we have the New York. New York auto show. So just lathered up by it, you know? And you know what? This is so crazy. You know what wasn't at the New York auto show?

[Liz]

What?

[Kelly]

Honda.

[Liz]

Oh.

[Kelly]

Not an Odyssey or a pilot to be found. You know, Chicago. Yeah. You know which two cars will be at the Commonwealth show?

[Liz]

The pilot and the Odyssey.

[Kelly]

So it's giving better show. Like. Sorry.

[Liz]

Yeah, it's giving bigger.

[Kelly]

Isn't always better for families.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Super jazzed. Okay, sorry. Back to the episode.

[Liz]

Speaking of minivans, though, my sister in law gave me a baby name. And I'm like.

[Kelly]

She told me about it because I saw her at the dentist today.

[Liz]

I know. I was like, I kind of love it, but it's Sienna. And I'm like, Sienna St. John is really cute.

[Kelly]

I regular name.

[Liz]

I know, but like, in. In. If I had any other job but

[Kelly]

Elizabeth, I think you're being a little crazy because people tell me, ask me all the time if I'm named after Kelly Blue Book and I'm living to tell the tale.

[Liz]

I think Sienna St. John is cute.

[Kelly]

I think Sienna is darling.

[Liz]

But, like, the first thing I thought was Toyota. Sienna.

[Kelly]

Is that a bad thing?

[Liz]

When I drive Ikea Carnival. I don't know. It's confusing.

[Kelly]

I like Sienna. I think you like the ss.

[Liz]

I think I do like the ss. Yeah.

[Kelly]

For the girls, at least.

[Liz]

Yeah. I don't know. Anyway, I thought it was cute. Probably not gonna use it, but it did. It did make me go, huh, that's cute. Which Not a lot of names do that for me. Anyway, here's my base model. Luxury, super niche, but also feels like a time that all of us are going through. So Sloan needs, like, band aid changes and like medication, like, daily. So what I decided to do was pull out the depth from the depths of my basement. These beautiful serving platters that I registered for years ago. And I made a really pretty band aid station and medication station. Because I'm keeping them out. I'm not putting them away because we're using them. We're using all the time, but also just like them. Sitting on my counter. Like it's not reading clean to me. So I just use my surfing platters and put like band aids and Vaseline and syringes and made a lovely. And it works. And it's, it's our, it's our temporary station.

[Kelly]

Elizabeth, I saw you posting about this and I implemented something similar with my skin care.

[Liz]

Oh, okay. What did you do?

[Kelly]

And I put all my skincare out on my counter. Yeah.

[Liz]

Why not get a platter and like

[Kelly]

it's just like lifted off the counter. But like it looks so intentional.

[Liz]

Yeah. I also saw, I saw an Instagram and someone said if you don't want your bathroom to like read, like beautifully done bathrooms. They don't have anything from the bathroom section at Target in them. So they don't have like the matching canisters and soap things. They have antique trays and dispensers and they're layering different things and they don't have bath mats. They have rugs. And I'm like, well, I have, you know, I have those things too. Like so whatever. But it is just like how if we can just like slightly. If it's a base model luxury, if it's slightly upgrading areas in our life that we do every day, maybe it is putting your skincare on a platter.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And when your kids are, when you're going through the sixth season or your kids are going through something and it's like a temporary thing, make it look pretty, bring yourself some joy, you know. So that's what I've been doing.

[Kelly]

I like it, babes.

[Liz]

And then things are never misplaced either. It's like, okay, this is where we go change our band aids. Okay. Anyway, you want to get to our advice questions?

[Kelly]

I would love to.

[Liz]

Okay. This is kind of a fun one. This comes from Jen. Hi. I'm searching for a new vehicle. Yay. I currently drive a 2016 sedan. Love it. I have two children and will not be having any more. A 5 year old and a high back booster and a 3 year old rear facing. I'm overwhelmed with options since two kids leave me with a lot. I'm hoping you can help narrow down three to four cars for me. Here's what I want. Luxury brand preferably. I really love the Genesis GV70 but open other options. Nothing full size. Something that screams sexy mom car. Relatively good on gas. I will be using this for traveling from time to time. Budget is somewhere near 70k. Really care more about warranty, reliability, etc. All wheel drive is a must. Hybrid is Fine. But nothing solely electric.

[Kelly]

How many kids? Four.

[Liz]

No, she has two kids.

[Kelly]

Oh my gosh.

[Liz]

I'm so sorry that, that she's like, she's like I'm overwhelmed because like I have so many options but like I want a fun car. She has a five year old and high back booster and a three year old rear facing. Jennifer's GV70 feels like a good start.

[Kelly]

No, I don't really love that one. It's too small. I think that's too small. I don't really love anything about that car for her.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Okay. I think like off the bat I'm thinking XC90. Yeah, just like kind of all coming up Volvo for me lately. I'm thinking Volvo XC90. I'm thinking Lexus TX.

[Liz]

Lexus TX just doesn't really scream sexy mom car to me.

[Kelly]

You don't think?

[Liz]

No, I don't. I mean I don't think it's the best looking Lexus, but I think it's the most functional Lexus.

[Kelly]

Okay, that's fine. That's fine. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.

[Liz]

That's why I think the Genesis are sexy.

[Kelly]

Oh, you need the GV80 though, I think.

[Liz]

Yeah, probably the GV80. I think, I think that is screaming luxury.

[Kelly]

I like GV80. Okay. I'm more okay with GV80. I like Volvo and I like QX60 infinity. QX60.

[Liz]

Oh yeah.

[Kelly]

Okay. That's sexy.

[Liz]

Yeah, that's a really nice. That's a pretty car.

[Kelly]

Okay, that's my list.

[Liz]

Oh, just throw it out there. Buick enclave. It's a sexy. It's a sexy car.

[Kelly]

I wish Buick would reach out to be honest with you. Like I.

[Liz]

Let's talk.

[Kelly]

I know. I'm trying to get an enclave to the auto show. It's like not as easy as you think and like if I don't have a bunch of the arch, I'm gonna be pissed.

[Liz]

I mean the way we hype it up.

[Kelly]

Right, right.

[Liz]

Okay, here's another question. I think that was a good answer. Here's another question. Hi girls. Love the podcast and all the Comram content. We've been in the car market for a while. I have a very reliable 2013 Highlander. But Miles are getting very high. Do do to my daily 30 mile round trip commute. I'd prefer a H Sienna or a hybrid Grand Highlander. Our family is Comp complete with 2 kids, 5 year old highback booster, 3 year old forward facing, same setup. I'm not Toyota loyal so if you can convince me For a better hybrid midsize option. I'm open. The last curveball is we're planning to buy this spring slash early summer. But my husband was deployed on short notice. As a military spouse, I do a lot on my own, but buying a car has not been one of those things. Any advice in this situation, Sales taxes or traps not to fall for unprepared financially with power of attorney, et cetera. Since we both like to use our credit and title in both name. Really appreciate any advice you can provide. So it's kind of like two questions. Like, do you think that. Okay, you. You got it.

[Kelly]

You know the pro. I know you say you're not Toyota loyal, But I think you would. The thing is, I think you would really like both of those cars.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And I don't feel necessarily a need to pull you away from them. There's not a ton of. I still don't think there's a ton of amazing hybrid options. That the. That are as proven. Like, you know, Toyota's had a hybrid for forever. Like, the prius came out in the 90s. Like, they just. They know hybrids.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And with only having two kids, you know, you have. You're not going to have some of the issues that, like, I think larger families have run into with both of those cars. I would probably go grand highlander, personally.

[Liz]

See, And I'm like, I would go minivan because I just like the minivan life, I think. I think you need to test drive both because they're both going to work for your kids.

[Kelly]

I think it's worth driving both. But, like, if you're in a regular highlander, like the grand highlander, I think is going to feel so much bigger to you. I could see the sienna feeling too big.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

And then in terms of, like, things to be aware of such. I mean, such a good question. And first of all, like, you totally have this. Like, this is. You've got this. You've got this. When I like to also, like, reach out, send us. Send us an email and then we'll. I'll just like, send you the car buying course.

[Liz]

I was gonna say we have her email. So I'll just have mattney send her forward.

[Kelly]

That's matney. And have her. Send her the car buying course and we'll just do that.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

But, you know, I mean, ultimately, it's. It's the. It's the advice I always give. Like, I think you would. I think you should schedule appointments ahead of time. I think you should go on dealer, choose a salesperson you like, schedule appointments. I think you should be really clear about your expectations with your salesperson. So, like, I want you to say, like, I'm between these two cars. I think, I don't know yet. I'm not buying today. And you know, like, I kind of like, personally, like, I kind of like love your husband not being there because you could. I wouldn't, like, I wouldn't. If you're worried about it, like, I would kind of use your husband as like a scapegoat. And like, don't tell them he's deployed. Like, oh, sorry, he's not here. I need, I need to talk to him.

[Liz]

I love pulling the. I need to run the numbers by my husband first. Even though I have full power over.

[Kelly]

As much as I like to empower women, you can't. Like, I also love to blame my husband.

[Liz]

What are they gonna say? Like, there's no sales tactic that they can say, okay, well what information would you need to, you know, to buy today? It's like, okay, I need the information from my husband.

[Kelly]

And you got.

[Liz]

Because I'm sorry, he's deployed right now and he's unreachable. So until I can reach him, I can give you an answer.

[Kelly]

We hate the military.

[Liz]

And also, let's tack on a military discount while you're at it. Because most dealerships have one.

[Kelly]

Let's tack on the military discount while you're at it.

[Liz]

Yeah, so I would like fully use that to your advantage.

[Kelly]

Totally. Like, I think that's actually like an amazing tactic.

[Liz]

I definitely use that one a time or two.

[Kelly]

I've heard you use that one a time or two.

[Liz]

No, literally one time Maddie was unreachable and like people had the audacity to like, oh man, I don't want to get into it, but use it. You can, you can, you can, you know, stretch the truth a little bit. But totally, he is gone. And that's. And that's hard. So. But yes, you have got it. Okay. Sorry. Emailing matney. Let me. I can't forget to do that. Okay, last question I had. I made a major life change a few months ago when I left my job and took substantial pay cut as part of a long term career move. Long story short, I've quickly learned where I was over consuming and overspending. I have two kids, one in a five point harness and one rear facing two years and no plans for more. But I drive an expedition about 60 miles a day. Oh my gosh, that's so many. I was.

[Kelly]

That's kind of what I do.

[Liz]

I was pretty sold on trading in my expedition for a Toyota Highlander hybrid that I would buy in cash. But then I got rear ended. Now that my expedition has an accident on the carfax, it will obviously be worth less in the trade. And for clarification, we did get it repaired. So does it make it more sense to keep the expedition and just drive it until the wheels fall off? Or trade in it for the Highlander, which would save us about $4,000 a year in gas plus insurance. We'd keep the Highlander for at least three years.

[Kelly]

Oh, I think you're fine to trade in the expedition.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

I don't think that, I mean, if it was a minor accident that you got repaired, like, as long as airbags didn't deploy or the vehicle I didn't get towed or like, there wasn't structural damage, like, you're fine. Like it's a fender bender. Yeah. And like, if you got it repaired, like, I literally don't think it will affect your trading value at all.

[Liz]

And like, $4,000 a year is $4,000 a year that you're saving. Like, she's ran the numbers. Like, she's.

[Kelly]

Yeah, like, it's not right. So, like, let's say it's not going to affect your value by $12,000. So you already made it up in three years.

[Liz]

Yeah, I would say.

[Kelly]

Yeah. I mean, that's. That's a lot of mileage. And if you don't need that big of a car, I think. I think there's an argument to be made for going. And is the expedition paid off?

[Liz]

I don't think she said if it's paid off. Okay. But she said in gas and insurance that they'll save $4,000 a year.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I mean, you ran the numbers. I'm really proud of you.

[Liz]

Yeah. And then she also said, shooting my shot, she's creating an Instagram account where she's documenting her journey for her pay cut and career move. And so she's sharing experience, ways to simplify her life and live with less. And her Instagram is purpose overpay, which is a really cute.

[Kelly]

Oh, Purpose overpay is darling.

[Liz]

Yeah. Purpose overpay. I can't believe that.

[Kelly]

What?

[Liz]

Like, literally no, like, underscores or anything. I can't believe that wasn't taken.

[Kelly]

Yeah, that's so exciting.

[Liz]

Really cute. Okay, those are our advice questions.

[Kelly]

Those are really good advice questions.

[Liz]

Today's episode is brought to you by Skylight. If your brain feels like it's holding 47 tabs open at all times, kids, schedules, appointments. What's for dinner on Tuesday? Same. And that's exactly why I started using Skylight calendar. It's basically your family's entire schedule all in one place on a really sleek digital display that actually lives in your home. It syncs with your Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, all of it. So everything shows up clearly colored, coded for each family member. I am a physical calendar kind of person. I don't always like looking on my phone. I feel like. But I save all my appointments on my phone. So Skylight combines the physical calendar that I can see. It lives on my counter. You could put it on your wall, but it's synced up to my phone. So it has all of those appointments, all of those schedules, all of those meetings that I have in my phone. You can also add chores, grocery list, reminders so there's no more. I didn't know I had to do that. Everything is right there. You can update everything on the go with the app. It just keeps and it just keeps your household running smoother without having to mentally track everything. And if you don't love it, they have 120, 20 day return policy, no questions asked. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch calendars by going to my skylight.com carpool go to myskylight.com carpool for 30 off your 15 inch calendar. That's M Y S K Y L I G-H T.com carpool today's episode is brought to you by Nuuly. I'm at the phase of my life where I am just constantly ebbing and flowing between clothing sizes because I'm getting pregnant, I'm getting postpartum, I'm getting pregnant again. And I just cannot buy a whole new wardrobe during the different seasons of my life, during the different sizes of my life. So that's why I've really loved Newly because Nuuly allows to get that new clothes feeling without the new clothes price. New Newly is a subscription clothing rental

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[Kelly]

Yeah, I have like a, like a lot on my mind in terms of the car buying. I'm probably gonna save some of it for another day because we're really car heavy. But let's keep being car heavy and go on industry news where we spill the hot tea going on in the auto industry. But let's make it gossipy. Okay, first, like, remember Tesla? Yes. Tesla's 50,000 car problem. Unsold EVs are piling up. This is a story from Autoblog. Tesla faces 50,000 unsold EVs as demand cools, tax incentive disappear and competitions rise, raising concerns about both the company and the EV market. So people don't talk about this enough. Like, when the tax credit went away for buying an ev, like, it really has hurt the EV market.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Because like, there's, there's, there's, there's just not. There's no incentive anymore. Like, you're not. It's not a financial incentive.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And you know, Tesla was so ahead of everybody for so long, but like, now, okay, you have to buy an ev. What is. Why would you buy Tesla? And I say this. I, I mean, whatever, if you want to, like, make it political, that's. That, that's fine. You can do that. But like, they haven't been bothered to update their car.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Since two. Since it came out in 2014. Like, I'm sorry. Like, just because it reminds me one of my favorite quotes. And I told this quote to Sam, today you're not the best if you're the only. So for very long you were the only, which made you the best. Now you're not the only. So step it up and become the best or take the consequences. Yeah, there are a lot of good EVs out there now. So I think about it like if I had to go, had to go buy an ev, would not buy a Tesla. And for just. The fact is I don't think they're that good looking and I think they haven't been bothered to update it.

[Liz]

No. And, and they're one of those cars that could be updated and like, like carry such a, like a dramatic upgrade. Like they're like, look at the cyber truck. It's so random. Like only Tesla's name Clay put could pull off the cyber truck and they're just like not innovating at all. And they could literally be setting the stage for innovation in, in the car, in the market.

[Kelly]

I would love to see a more palatable SUV esque cyber truck. I could be into it. I could genuinely be excited about it. You know, I think the Tesla just like kind of has, I mean, their hands in like a lot of pots. Like, I think like they're doing things like robots in space, etc. Etc. So maybe automotive is just kind of falling to the wayside, but I don't feel bad for all the, all the

[Liz]

less of a reason to like want to buy a car from them. Then like, they clearly like, like aren't prioritizing it.

[Kelly]

Okay, this is a story from Automotive News because like I. We spoke last episode about how GM just like refuses to get into like the off roading SUV space. And based on the story, it seems like they're doing anything but that because GM is playing some new cars. They're prepping a new Buick sedan alongside a Cadillac CT5 in a Chevy Camaro.

[Liz]

So

[Kelly]

sedans are back.

[Liz]

Well, that was a little blip in time.

[Kelly]

The US Market is going to have a Buick sedan built on the same platform as the next generation CT5 and the Chevy Camaro. The car would be the first in North America for Buick, once known as. Once known for luxurious sedans and coupe. Since it discontinued the regal in 2020, Buick's North American lineup now consists of an enclave, an encore, an Envision and an Invista. Yeah, the Buick sedan is expected to be built saw. Okay, I already said this all, so. Okay, Buick.

[Liz]

Okay, Buick, we love you. Buick. We're h. We're happy for you.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I think.

[Liz]

What was it Called. Did they say what it was called?

[Kelly]

Oh, did they say what it's called?

[Liz]

Cuz now I feel like they have to do an E.

[Kelly]

No, they did not say what it's called. Let me see. Just like do the quick Google Buick sedan names. Question mark. So. Oh, this is such a good name.

[Liz]

What?

[Kelly]

Okay, this is. This car is only in China, but Buick is currently using the name Electra for electric sedans and SUVs in China.

[Liz]

I can't believe they have that. Maybe they only have it in China. They have to only have it in China. Electra. No, I know, like the. No, like the, the rights to it.

[Kelly]

Elektra is such a good name.

[Liz]

That's such a good name.

[Kelly]

Okay, I'm kind of obsessed. Next story is from Edmonds. They put out the best minivans of 2026. Okay. Who do you think they gave the best minivan to?

[Liz]

Kia Carnival.

[Kelly]

No.

[Liz]

Oh,

[Kelly]

to your daughter. The Sienna is best in class. Fuel economy, extra great storage and available all wheel drive. So they're giving best minivan to the Sienna. Nearly the best minivan that's award number

[Liz]

two goes to Kia Carnival.

[Kelly]

Kia Carnival. Best minivan that isn't a hybrid. This is giving high school superlatives. Like come on, pick one.

[Sponsor/Ad Reader]

You know what I mean?

[Liz]

Best one that isn't a hybrid Odyssey.

[Kelly]

Then they said best minivan made by Chrysler.

[Liz]

So embarrassing. They're like best, nearly best. Best one that doesn't have a hybrid option. They couldn't have come up. They couldn't have chatgpt like two other categories that either one of those maybe

[Kelly]

I was stow and go, that's fine. They go, our pick, Chrysler Pacifica.

[Liz]

That has to be a joke.

[Kelly]

But they don't say like what they

[Liz]

don't love about it.

[Kelly]

That's so it says the second row seats are nowhere as comfortable as those in other vans. And the fact that no other minivan has adopted something like them in roughly two decades of their existence has something about how much they're valued by customers. That sentence makes no sense.

[Liz]

Maybe this was written why I bought because it's not that title in itself. The best minivan made by Chrysler.

[Kelly]

They don't say why they don't like it.

[Liz]

You know what that's giving? That's giving me in like fourth grade at a swim meet when I only reason I ever got a blue ribbon, like a first place ribbon was because I was the only one in my heat. Totally. And then it's like I have all these ribbons because you get ribbons and I Have like one blue one and it's like, I have no joy over this one. But I have so many rainbow ones. Because the rainbow ones are the participation. Chrysler got a rainbow ribbon there.

[Kelly]

I think people are being a little mean to the Pacifica and I think I've been mean to the Pacifica.

[Liz]

Yeah, you have been.

[Kelly]

No, I have been. And here's the thing, okay. People change.

[Liz]

Yeah, but people do see shade. You can't help. You can't throw shade at it.

[Kelly]

No. But here's what I'll say about the Pacifica. Like, you know, I don't like it because of the third row head restraints, but now there are a lot of car seats that work with the third row head restraints. So, like, is that really that big of an issue anymore? Because let me tell you something. I had that Grand Highlander two weeks ago and I found several booster seats that did not work in the third row. So just because the headrests are okay. This, like, the seat belts aren't.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

So, like, it's just one thing or the other. So I'm trying to, like, take that out of a reason. I don't like it because if I take that away because I can tell you the seats that work and, like, it'll be fine. What's not to like? Yeah, you're like, like. So I looked at. Because I. I just did an underrated cars.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Outperformed the Odyssey in the IHS testing lower msrp. I mean, Siennas are going to bankroll you. Like, and of course, I mean, they didn't take that into account at all when they gave this article stow and go all wheel.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

We should like it more.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Well, I think the biggest thing is the reliability, you know, Let me just look that up for you really fast. Well, I just like, have you here. I just like. The word reliability, I think needs to be redefined by the auto industry totally.

[Liz]

Because you literally anyone, anyone I talk to, they're like, well, I got this car, but, you know, the right reliability. I'm like, yeah, like, what specifically about the reliability?

[Kelly]

Okay. Chrysler reliability. This is just from. This is what a 25 Chrysler Pacifica reliability says. They give it a 26 out of 100.

[Liz]

Right. What does that mean?

[Kelly]

That sounds rough. Guess who has the highest reliability out of the minivans?

[Liz]

The Honda Odyssey.

[Kelly]

Kia Carnival.

[Liz]

Shout out Kia Carnival. But what did I, I. It's still. It's kind of a vague term for me.

[Kelly]

It's a very. It's a vague term for everybody. And like, this data Is vague because this is just. Okay, so the, the Chrysler Pacifica Overall has a 35 out of 100.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

But then I like to look at this, this thing from Consumer Reports called predicted owner satisfaction. Because that means more.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And it has a 62 out of 100. Who has the highest owner satisfaction? Let's look. Okay. The highest. They. The Consumer Reports after people, would you buy this car again? Chrysler Pacifica got a whopping 62%. Toyota Sienna got a 75. Odyssey got a 69. Carnival got an 80.

[Liz]

Okay, well that's.

[Kelly]

Suddenly it's all coming up Carnival.

[Liz]

Yeah. Okay.

[Kelly]

And like, doesn't always. I always like, think about, like, oh, like I would love to drive two minivans, one all wheel drive one not in the snow. To really see what the thing is. Because the problem with minivans is like, have you seen their ground clearance? Like, you're not going anywhere in snow.

[Liz]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Kelly]

And like all wheeler doesn't help ice.

[Liz]

Yeah. That's kind of the thing. And I'm also just of the mindset because I will probably, unless I go to full size suv, I'll probably just like stick it with a minivan for a long time. Especially once I have three. If there's like so much snow on the ground, either my family's not leaving or we're taking my husband's truck.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

You know, like, I don't need my minivan to perform in the snow. But you're right, if there's a lot of snow, there's no ground clearance. And no car is going to do well on ice.

[Kelly]

Well, if there's not. Yeah. If there's a lot of snow, like, you need an SUV with like 12 inches. 12 to 15 inches of ground clearance. You don't need a Sienna with six. Like, that's crazy.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

How much ground clearance does a minivan have? Now I'm just like learning all the things. Okay, are you ready for. I think I have one more story. I think it was a good one. So hold on, let me find it. Four to, four to five inches. Okay. Oh, that's a Mini Cooper. It's a minivan. Okay. It's just, you know, you know, it's like not that easy to get too. Let me move on. Okay. Let me tell you my last story that I just. Today I saved the Instagram because I was so passionate about talking about it. Okay. Have I ever spoken about the Eddie Bauer X Ford Bronco?

[Liz]

I don't think so.

[Kelly]

Okay. You know how like collabs are like all the rage? Right now, like, skims is always like, skims is collabing with like Fendi or like there's like people are doing these.

[Liz]

Right. Sure.

[Kelly]

Good. Brand to brand collabs. Trying to think of some other ones. Taco Bell X Doritos. Amazing.

[Liz]

Yeah. Eddie Bauer x Ford Bronco. What did. What was this? Is this something they recently did or something they.

[Kelly]

It's considered one of the greatest brand collabs in history. Starting with the Ford Bronco and expanding to several different models. This partnership spanned nearly 30 years and sold well over a million units, becoming one of the greatest achievements for both Ford and Eddie Bauer.

[Liz]

Okay. If you look up the Ford Bronco, Eddie Bauer, it is, I think to this day one of the best. That's like a. One of the best looking cars I see. Like, that's a beautiful car.

[Kelly]

Which one are you talking about?

[Liz]

I was texted to you. Tell me this is a beautiful car. I mean, it's got like a vintage vibe to it, but like, it's a beautiful vintage.

[Kelly]

Is it like blue?

[Liz]

No, I'm looking at a red one with tan.

[Kelly]

Yeah. Okay. Yeah, we're looking stunning.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

I can't feel like you're describing it as stunning.

[Liz]

I think it's beautiful. I think it's cool. Like, I like the look of vintage.

[Kelly]

We're toy. Looking at different.

[Liz]

Oh, okay. Well, what do you think about mine?

[Kelly]

I didn't have in Bronco. Yeah, it's stunning. I just think this is fun and I would like to see more car manufacturers. Do these collapse? Like, Eddie Bauer, expert. Like, to me, like, if I'm thinking about, like, the additions, like I kind of spoke about, you know, I wasn't the biggest fan of like the 30th anniversary expedition in a mass market way. I think we should celebrate. The 30th edition was that the exhibition's been around for 30 years. Like, I'm the world's biggest expedition fan. Like, who likes the Expedition more than me?

[Liz]

No one.

[Kelly]

And I didn't want to buy that.

[Liz]

Yeah. So who's it?

[Kelly]

And I. And I was in the market to buy a new Expedition and it was the same time that came out and I was like, I want it says 30th all over it. Like, I don't want that.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

This isn't an American Girl doll. Like, this is not a collectible. This is a depreciating asset in a car.

[Liz]

Yeah, totally.

[Kelly]

Like come out with a keychain.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But I think Ford's always done these. Not always, but, like, the King Ranch was A collab?

[Liz]

Yeah, yeah, I like a collab.

[Kelly]

Who would be, like, another, like, good. Can you think of, like, a good, like, clothing brand or makeup brand? Clothing brands just feel good. Or like, outdoor brand X cars.

[Liz]

Yeah, like Yeti.

[Kelly]

Yeti.

[Liz]

And you've got, like, some, like, a Yeti cooler in the back, integrated somehow.

[Kelly]

And, you know Nissan Rogue did a Star wars one. Nissan Rogue had a Star wars edition.

[Liz]

Do you remember that?

[Kelly]

It was a special limited edition production compact SUV. On the 2017 Rogue S, It was released to remote Rogue One. A Star wars story. That feels a little niche.

[Liz]

Yeah, but, like, Star wars are, like, collectible vibes.

[Kelly]

Something to think about.

[Liz]

No, I'm standing pretty firm with the Yeti. I think, like, a Yeti X Ford would be a good collab.

[Kelly]

Like a Yeti Bronco. Like what?

[Liz]

Yeah, be sick.

[Kelly]

Hyundai should do this with the boulder. This could save the boulder.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Who's like a Boulder? Like, what's a boulder? Like, like, outdoor brands. Let me just see if we can give anyone a free idea.

[Liz]

Like Patagonia.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I like that. Or like, what's, like, hydro. No, what's, like, what's the. Like, super. Like, what's the cup that, like, the people like, like the. No, what's the one that, like, the campers use and they put their stickers on it, and it's just like a plastic water bottle that's colored. Well, anyway, we gotta wrap this up because Elizabeth's computer's not working. So I'm just gonna wrap this up really quick. I'll give you a quick ditch to the drive. Like, so quick. A couple of things I'm making this week. One, my cabbage soup recipes on my highlights. Let's make cabbage soup, like, so good, so springy, like, when it's like a cold spring. Because you like. It's like a light. It's like, it's not a winter soup. It's a spring soup. So I'm so excited. And my pigs can finally eat scraps. And they're gonna be so excited about my scrap cabbage. Like, they are gonna freak out. Can't wait to give it to them. Like, I'm making the soup for my family, and I'm gonna make just so I can have scraps for the pigs. And then I'm also been into making that, like, the pizza using ground chicken. So you just, like, make a pizza crust out of ground chicken. It's good for, like, my new diet that I've been on. And then you put Caesar dressing as the base and top it with like with other Caesar salad and chicken. I don't really do more chicken because the base is chicken and a little Parmesan cheese. Like, it tastes like a chicken Caesar salad. But, like, it's such a different profile. It's such a different way to eat that, and sometimes that's all you need. So, guys, that's going to wrap up today's episode of the Carpool Podcast, and we will talk to you on Wednesday. Have a good weekend. Thank you for listening to the Carpool Podcast with Kelly and Liz. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know there's room in the car for everyone.